Gaming system and a method of gaming

ABSTRACT

A gaming system is disclosed which includes a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols which correspond to at least one winning symbol combination when the symbol combination coincides with a win line, and to display the symbols at a plurality of display positions. The system also includes a win line selector arranged to automatically select at least one win line from a plurality of available win lines, and an outcome evaluator arranged to determine that a winning outcome exists when a selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/392,838, filed Feb. 25, 2009, entitled “A GAMING SYSTEM AND AMEHTOD OF GAMING,” which claims the benefit of priority to AustralianProvisional Patent Application No. 2008900887, filed on Feb. 25, 2008,entitled “A GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING”, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gaming system and to a method ofgaming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a game controllerarranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set ofsymbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on thedisplayed symbols. In some arrangements, a win outcome is defined on thebasis of occurrence of symbols along defined win lines which may bepreselected or selected by a player prior to display of symbols by thegaming system.

Such gaming systems may commonly be implemented as a stepper machineprovided with reels with each reel carrying several symbols of the set,or a video machine wherein selected symbols are displayed on virtualreels on a graphical display device.

However, while such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a needexists for alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increaseplayer enjoyment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a gaming system including:

a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for displayat a plurality of display positions, the selected symbols including atleast one winning symbol combination when the symbol combinationcoincides with a win line;

a win line selector arranged to automatically select at least one winline from a plurality of available win lines; and

an outcome evaluator arranged to determine that a winning outcome existswhen a selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line.

In one embodiment, the selected win line includes a first number ofassociated symbol positions and the selected symbol combination includesa second number of symbols, the second number being equal to the firstnumber.

In an alternative embodiment, the selected win line includes a firstnumber of associated symbol positions and the selected symbolcombination includes a second number of symbols, the second number beingless than the first number.

In one embodiment, the symbol combination is predefined.

In an alternative embodiment, the symbol combination is selectable froma plurality of possible winning symbol combinations.

In one embodiment, the symbol selector is arranged to facilitateselection of a symbol combination by a player and/or to facilitateselection by a player of the number of symbols in the symbolcombination.

In an alternative embodiment, the symbol selector is arranged toautomatically select a symbol combination, for example randomly.

In one embodiment, the symbol selector is arranged to select a pluralityof symbol combinations and/or the win line selector is arranged toselect a plurality of win lines.

The gaming system may be arranged to operate in normal game mode andspecial game mode, and the win line selector is arranged toautomatically select at least one win line from a plurality of availablewin lines, and the outcome evaluator is arranged to determine that awinning outcome exists when the selected symbol combination coincideswith a selected win line only when the gaming system operates duringspecial game mode.

The gaming system may be arranged to commence special game mode when apredetermined game outcome occurs, on the basis of a game eventoccurring during a game such as display of a particular symbol, inresponse to player input, based on the amount or type of bet placed, orwhen a special game is purchased by a player.

In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged such that only symbolsforming part of the selected symbol combination are displayed.

The gaming system may be implemented as a stand alone gaming machine oracross a network.

In one embodiment, one or more of the symbol selector, win line selectorand the outcome evaluator is constituted, at least in part, by aprocessor executing program code stored in a memory.

In one embodiment, the gaming system includes a game play mechanismoperable to place a wager and the outcome evaluator evaluates theoutcome based on the wager.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of gaming including:

selecting a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of displaypositions, the selected symbols including at least one winning symbolcombination when the symbol combination coincides with a win line;

automatically selecting at least one win line from a plurality ofavailable win lines; and

determining that a winning outcome exists when a selected symbolcombination coincides with a selected win line.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer program arranged when loaded into a computer toinstruct the computer to operate in accordance with a gaming systemincluding:

a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for displayat a plurality of display positions on the display, the selected symbolsincluding at least one winning symbol combination when the symbolcombination coincides with a win line;

a win line selector arranged to automatically select at least one winline from a plurality of available win lines; and

an outcome evaluator arranged to determine that a winning outcome existswhen a selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer readable medium having computer readable programcode embodied therein for causing a computer to operate in accordancewith a gaming system including:

a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for displayat a plurality of display positions on the display, the selected symbolsincluding at least one winning symbol combination when the symbolcombination coincides with a win line;

a win line selector arranged to automatically select at least one winline from a plurality of available win lines; and

an outcome evaluator arranged to determine that a winning outcome existswhen a selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a data signal having computer readable program code embodiedtherein for causing a computer to operate in accordance with a gamingsystem including:

a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for displayat a plurality of display positions on the display, the selected symbolsincluding at least one winning symbol combination when the symbolcombination coincides with a win line;

a win line selector arranged to automatically select at least one winline from a plurality of available win lines; and

an outcome evaluator arranged to determine that a winning outcome existswhen a selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of core components of a gamingsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of functional components of a gamingsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming system in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention with the gaming systemimplemented in the form of a stand alone gaming machine;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of operative components of thegaming machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of components of a memory of thegaming machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a gaming system in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention with the gaming systemimplemented over a network;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating game play of a gaming system inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b are diagrammatic representations of example screensdisplayed by a gaming system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention during implementation of a game; and

FIGS. 9 a to 9 d are diagrammatic representations of further examplesymbol combinations which are selectable by a player in an alternativeembodiment of a gaming system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in thedrawings. It should be understood, however, that the present inventionis not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in theattached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present gaming system operates such that at least during a portionof a game implemented by the gaming system, a symbol combination capableof constituting a winning outcome is displayed and a win line israndomly selected from a set of defined win lines. If the displayedsymbol combination coincides with the selected win line, a winningoutcome occurs.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a schematic block diagram of agaming system 10 arranged to implement a probabilistic game of the typeoperable in normal game mode and special game mode, wherein duringnormal game mode several symbols from a set of symbols are randomlydisplayed and a game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayedsymbols with reference to defined outcome patterns and/or defined winlines, and during special game mode a symbol combination capable ofconstituting a winning outcome is displayed and a win line is randomlyselected from a set of defined win lines.

With some such probabilistic games, the set of symbols used duringnormal game mode include standard symbols and function symbols, and thegame outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed standardsymbols and the function associated with any displayed function symbol.For example, standard symbols may resemble fruit such as apples, pearsand bananas with a win outcome being determined when a predeterminednumber of the same fruit appear on a display along a win line, or aredisplayed according to defined outcome patterns such as scattered, andso on. The function associated with a function symbol may be for examplea wild function wherein display of the function symbol is treated duringconsideration of the game outcome as any of the standard symbols. Afunction symbol may be represented as the word “WILD”, a star, or by anyother suitable word or symbol. Other functions are also envisaged suchas scatter functions, multiplier functions, repeat win functions,jackpot functions and feature commencement functions.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of core components of a gamingsystem 10 in accordance with the present embodiment is shown. The corecomponents include a player interface 30 and a game controller 32. Theplayer interface 30 is arranged to enable interaction between a playerand the gaming system and for this purpose includes input/outputcomponents for the player to enter instructions and play the game.

Components of the player interface 30 may vary but will typicallyinclude a credit mechanism 34 to enable a player to input credits andreceive payouts, one or more displays 36 which may include a touchscreen, and a game play mechanism 38 arranged to enable a player toinput game play instructions.

The game controller 32 is in data communication with the playerinterface 30 and typically includes a processor 40 arranged to processgame play instructions and output game player outcomes to the display36. Typically, the game play instructions are stored as program code ina memory 42 that can also be hardwired. It will be understood that inthis specification the term “processor” is used to refer generically toany device that can process game play instructions and may include amicroprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or othercomputational device such as a personal computer or a server.

A functional diagram illustrating operative components of the gamecontroller 32 is shown in FIG. 2.

The memory 42 is arranged to store symbols data 14 indicative of aplurality of symbols, in the present example associated with a pluralityof reels, win lines data 15 indicative of win lines available for useduring normal game mode and available for selection during special gamemode, function data 16 indicative of one or more functions allocatableto the symbols, and game instruction data 18 indicative of gameinstructions usable by the gaming machine 10 to control operation of thegame.

The game controller 32 includes a symbol selector 20 which is arrangedto select several symbols from the available symbols for display to aplayer in a plurality of display positions, in this example by spinningreels containing the symbols and stopping the reels so as to display atleast one symbol on each reel. In this example, the selection carriedout by the symbol selector 20 is made using a random number generator22.

During special game mode, the symbol selector 20 selects a combinationof symbols for display which corresponds to a winning combinationaccording to one or more win lines.

It will be appreciated that the random number generator 22 may be of atype which is arranged to generate pseudo random numbers based on a seednumber, and that in this specification the term “random” will beunderstood accordingly to mean truly random or pseudo random.

With this embodiment, the game controller 32 also includes a triggerdeterminer 24 arranged to determine whether a trigger condition existsand to commence special game mode when a trigger condition has beendetected. Such a trigger condition may be display of a particular symbolor combination of symbols.

The trigger determiner 24 communicates with a line selector 25 arrangedduring special game mode to select one of the win lines stored in thememory 42 to be used in determining whether a win outcome exists duringspecial game mode.

In this example, the game controller 32 also includes a functionallocator 26 arranged to select and allocate one or more functions toone or more symbols. Such functions include a wild function, a scatterfunction, or any other function which may be applied to a symbol or tothe game.

The game controller 32 also includes an outcome evaluator 28 which inaccordance with the game instructions 18 determines game outcomes basedon the symbols selected for display to the player by the symbol selector20 during normal game mode, and during special game mode based on asymbol combination selected by the symbol selector 20 and a win lineselected by the line selector 25.

It will be understood that the symbol selector 20 may be arranged suchthat the symbol combination selected for use during special game mode isfixed, is randomly selected, or is selectable by a player from allavailable symbol win combinations or from some of the available symbolwin combinations.

In the embodiments described below, the symbol selector 20, the triggerdeterminer 24, the line selector 25, the function allocator 26, and theoutcome evaluator 28 are at least partly implemented using the processor40 and associated software, although it will be understood that otherimplementations are envisaged.

The gaming system 10 can take a number of different forms.

In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all ormost components implementing the game are present in a player operablegaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some ofthe components implementing the game are present in a player operablegaming terminal and some of the components implementing the game arelocated remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a “thickclient” architecture may be used wherein part of the game is executed ona player operable gaming terminal and part of the game is executedremotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client” architecturemay be used wherein most of the game is executed remotely such as by agaming server and a player operable gaming terminal is used only todisplay audible and/or visible gaming information to the player andreceive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged.For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming terminalis networked to a gaming server and the respective functions of thegaming terminal and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. Forexample, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machinemode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the gamebeing played, operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will beapparent to persons skilled in the art.

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 50 isillustrated in FIG. 3. The gaming machine 50 includes a console 52having a display 54 on which is displayed representations of a game 56that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 60 of the gaming machine 50houses a bank of buttons 62 for enabling a player to interact with thegaming machine, in particular during gameplay. The mid-trim 60 alsohouses a credit input mechanism 64 which in this example includes a coininput chute 64A and a bill collector 64B. Other credit input mechanismsmay also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smartcard, debit card or credit card.

A top box 66 may carry artwork 68, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 69 of the console 52. A coin tray 60 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 69 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 50.

The display 54 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly acathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 54 may be aliquid crystal display, plasma screen, or any other suitable videodisplay unit. The top box 66 may also include a display, for example avideo display unit, which may be of the same type as the display 54, orof a different type. The display 54 may include a touch screen usable bya player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during gameplay.

The display 54 in this example is arranged to display representations ofseveral reels, each reel of which has several associated symbols.Typically 3, 4 or 5 reels are provided. During operation of the game,the reels first appear to rotate then stop with typically three symbolsvisible on each reel. Game outcomes are determined on the basis of thevisible symbols together with any special functions associated with thesymbols.

A player marketing module (PMM) 72 having a display 74 is connected tothe gaming machine 50. The main purpose of the PMM 72 is to allow theplayer to interact with a player loyalty system. The PMM has a magneticcard reader for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, forexample as part of a loyalty program. However other reading devices maybe employed and the player tracking device may be in the form of a card,flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being readby the reading device. In this example, the PMM 62 is a Sentinel IIIdevice produced by Aristocrat Technologies Pty Ltd.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of operative components of a gaming machine100 which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine shown inFIG. 3.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 inaccordance with the present invention are stored in a memory 103 whichis in data communication with the processor 102.

Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile andnon-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with suchmemories being collectively represented by the memory 103.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with a playerinterface 120 of the gaming machine 100, the player interface 120 havingseveral peripheral devices. The input/output interface 105 and/or theperipheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory forstoring associated instructions and data for use with the input/outputinterface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral devices that communicatewith the game controller 101 include one or more displays 106, a touchscreen and/or bank of buttons 107, a card and/or ticket reader 108, aprinter 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and a coinoutput mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as part of thegaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted based on the specificimplementation.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a central controller, server or database and receive dataor commands from the central controller, server or database.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 may be provided remotely from the gamecontroller 101.

FIG. 6 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which forexample may be an Ethernet network, a LAN or a WAN. In this example,three banks 203 of two gaming devices 202 are connected to the network201. The gaming devices 202 provide a player operable interface may havesimplified functionality depending on rules, guidelines, and/orpreferences for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gamingdevices are illustrated in FIG. 6, banks of one, three or more gamingdevices are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. Thedisplays 204 may, for example, be associated with one or more banks 203of gaming devices. The displays 204 may be used to displayrepresentations associated with game play on the gaming devices 202,and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional orinformational material.

In a thick client embodiment, a game server 205 implements part of thegame played by a player using a gaming device 202 and the gaming device202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as both the gameserver 205 and the gaming device 202 implement part of the game, theycollectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloadingor access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, ifthe gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, aJackpot server 207 will be provided to monitor and carry out the Jackpotgame.

In a variation of the above thick client embodiment, the gaming device202 may implement the game, with the game server 205 functioning merelyto serve data indicative of a game to the gaming device 202 forimplementation.

With this implementation, a data signal containing a computer programusable by the gaming device to implement the gaming system may betransferred from the game server to the gaming device, for example inresponse to a request by the gaming device.

In a thin client embodiment, the game server 205 implements most or allof the game played by a player using a gaming device 202 and the gamingdevice 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With thisembodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gamingdevice will receive player instructions, and pass the instructions tothe game server which will process them and return game play outcomes tothe gaming device for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gamingdevices could be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software thatprovides a player interface operable using standard computer input andoutput components.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration ofthe gaming system 200, including for example a gaming floor managementserver 208 and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licensesrelating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is providedto allow an administrator to monitor the network 201 and the devicesconnected to the network.

The gaming system 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, otherlocal networks such as a corporate network, and/or a wide area networksuch as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with knowntechniques, functionality at the server side of the network may bedistributed over a plurality of different computers. For example,elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separateserver may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run arandom number generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random numbergenerator server could be provided.

Examples of specific implementations of the gaming system will now bedescribed in relation to a stand alone gaming machine 10, 40, 100although it will be understood that implementation may also be carriedout using other gaming system architectures such as a networkarchitecture of the type shown in FIG. 6.

In this example, the gaming system is operable in normal game mode andspecial game mode and the gaming system includes five reels, each ofwhich has an associated set of symbols.

During normal game mode, the reels include standard symbols andoptionally one or more function symbols and win outcomes are determinedon the basis of the symbols visible at the display positions when thereels stop rotating.

Typically, a player will purchase or otherwise obtain win entitlementssuch as several win lines which are used in the game to determine winoutcomes. If the displayed symbols on the reels have symbols associatedwith a winning combination such as disposed on a win line, the playerwins a prize.

During special game mode, the gaming system selects a combination ofsymbols which correspond to a possible winning outcome and displays theselected symbol combination on the display 44. The symbol combinationmay be predefined, randomly selected from all available win outcomecombinations, or may be selected by a player from all available winoutcome combinations or from some of the available win outcomecombinations. The gaming system also randomly selects a win line fromavailable win lines, and if the displayed symbol combination coincideswith the selected win line, the player wins a prize.

The gaming system may be arranged to commence special game mode when apredetermined game outcome occurs, and special game mode may include oneor more free games. Special game mode may commence automatically on thebasis of a game event occurring during a game such as display of aparticular symbol, based on game outcomes determined by the gamingsystem, or may be prompted by a player pressing a button on the gamingsystem 10, 40, 100 after the player has identified that a game outcomecorresponding to special game mode requirements has occurred.

The gaming system 10, 40, 100 may also be arranged so as to determineeligibility for special game mode, for example based on the amount ortype of bet placed, based on certain time periods and so on.

Special game mode may also be arranged to commence when a special gameis purchased by a player.

A specific example will now be described in relation to flow diagram 250shown in FIG. 7 which illustrates steps 252 to 264 of a method of gamingimplemented by the gaming system according to the present embodiment.

In this example, five virtual reels are provided and, as such,representations of the reels are displayed on a graphical display device44.

During normal game mode, the reels are spun 254 and subsequently stoppedto display a symbol at each display position. If a trigger conditiondoes not exist 256 to cause commencement of special game mode, theoutcome evaluator 28 determines whether the symbols displayed at thedisplay positions correspond to a winning outcome 262 by reference tothe win lines 15 available for the game.

If a trigger condition exists 256, special game mode commences and a winsymbol combination 300 is selected and displayed 258 on the display 44,as shown in FIG. 8 a. The win symbol combination 300 selected in thisexample includes 4 King symbols and corresponds to a particular win line302.

In this example, only the selected symbol combination is displayed withother display positions being blank, although it will be understood thatother arrangements are possible. For example, all display positions maybe populated, with the display positions including at least one symbolcombination which corresponds to a winning outcome when the symbolcombination coincides with a win line.

It will be appreciated that multiple win symbol combinations may beselected and displayed, and symbol combinations including any number ofsymbols may be selected. For example, a symbol combination including 3symbols in 3 respective adjacently disposed reels may be selected in agaming system which includes 5 reels. As a consequence, it is possibleto achieve a winning outcome with more than one win line because morethan one win line may coincide with the displayed symbol combination.Alternatively, a symbol combination including 5 symbols in 5 respectiveadjacently disposed reels may be selected in a gaming system whichincludes 5 reels. As a consequence, with this embodiment it is possibleto achieve a winning outcome with only one win line because only one winline will coincide with the displayed symbol combination. The symbolcombinations and/or the number of symbols in a symbol combination may beselectable by a player, or may be randomly selected by the gamingsystem.

Example alternative symbol combinations 310, 312, 314, 316 are shown inFIGS. 9 a to 9 d.

The display 44 also includes win line indicators 304 having a win lineidentifier 306 for each win line. By highlighting a win line identifier306, an indication can be provided to a player as to the win line whichhas been selected. In the example shown in FIG. 8 a it will beappreciated that 9 win lines are available for selection. However, sinceno win line has yet been selected, all win line identifiers 306 areshown with a shaded background.

The line selector 25 randomly selects a win line 304 from the availablewin lines 15 and optionally displays the selected win line 304 over thedisplayed symbol combination, as shown in FIG. 8 b. In the presentexample, the selected win line 304 corresponds to win line 5 andaccordingly the win line identifier 306 corresponding to win line 5 ishighlighted relative to the other win lines.

Prior to selection of a win line, the win line identifiers may behighlighted in a particular pattern, such as sequentially from top tobottom, so as to provide the player with an indication that selection ofa win line is in progress.

In an alternative embodiment, multiple win lines may be selected fromthe available win lines in order to increase the likelihood of theplayer obtaining a winning outcome. The selection of additional winlines may be purchased by a player.

The gaming system compares the or each selected win line 304 with thedisplayed symbol combination 300 and if the selected symbol combinationcoincides with the selected win line 304 an award is provided to theplayer, for example in the form of a monetary prize.

In the present example, the displayed symbol combination 300 coincideswith the selected win line 304 and a prize is therefore awarded to theplayer.

While the above example is described in relation to a gaming systemwhich implements a game including normal game mode and special gamemode, alternatives are possible. For example, the gaming system may bearranged to implement a game according to the above described specialgame mode only, or the gaming system may be arranged to implement othertypes of games which include a game according to the above describedspecial game mode as a component.

In the claims of this application and in the description of theinvention, except where the context indicates otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the words “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or any other country.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addresseeare deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments and/or aspects without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The presentembodiments and aspects are, therefore, to be considered in all respectsas illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments are describedabove with reference to the drawings. These drawings illustrate certaindetails of specific embodiments that implement the systems and methodsand programs of the present invention. However, describing the inventionwith drawings should not be construed as imposing on the invention anylimitations associated with features shown in the drawings. The presentinvention contemplates methods, systems and program products on anyelectronic device and/or machine-readable media suitable foraccomplishing its operations. Certain embodiments of the presentinvention may be implemented using an existing computer processor and/orby a special purpose computer processor incorporated for this or anotherpurpose or by a hardwired system, for example.

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include programproducts comprising machine-readable media for carrying or havingmachine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Suchmachine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with aprocessor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may compriseRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and whichcan be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer orother machine with a processor. When information is transferred orprovided over a network or another communications connection (eitherhardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to amachine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readablemedium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed amachine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also includedwithin the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executableinstructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

1. A gaming system comprising: a symbol selector arranged to select aplurality of symbols for display at a plurality of display positions,the selected symbols including at least one winning symbol combinationwhen the symbol combination coincides with a win line; a win lineselector arranged to automatically select at least one win line from aplurality of available win lines; and an outcome evaluator arranged todetermine that a winning outcome exists when a selected symbolcombination coincides with a selected win line.
 2. A gaming system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the selected win line includes a firstnumber of associated symbol positions and the selected symbolcombination includes a second number of symbols, the second number beingequal to the first number.
 3. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the selected win line includes a first number of associatedsymbol positions and the selected symbol combination includes a secondnumber of symbols, the second number being less than the first number.4. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the symbol combinationis predefined.
 5. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesymbol combination is selectable from a plurality of possible winningsymbol combinations.
 6. A gaming system as claimed in claim 5, whereinthe symbol selector is arranged to facilitate selection of a symbolcombination by a player.
 7. A gaming system as claimed in claim 5,wherein the symbol selector is arranged to facilitate selection by aplayer of the number of symbols in the symbol combination.
 8. A gamingsystem as claimed in claim 5, wherein the symbol selector is arranged toautomatically select a symbol combination.
 9. A gaming system as claimedin claim 8, wherein the symbol combination is randomly selected.
 10. Agaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the symbol selector isarranged to select a plurality of symbol combinations.
 11. A gamingsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the win line selector is arrangedto select a plurality of win lines.
 12. A gaming system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the gaming system is arranged to operate in normal gamemode and special game mode, and the win line selector is arranged toautomatically select at least one win line from a plurality of availablewin lines, and the outcome evaluator is arranged to determine that awinning outcome exists when the selected symbol combination coincideswith a selected win line only when the gaming system operates duringspecial game mode.
 13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12, whereinthe gaming system is arranged to commence special game mode when apredetermined game outcome occurs, on the basis of a game eventoccurring during a game such as display of a particular symbol, inresponse to player input, based on the amount or type of bet placed, orwhen a special game is purchased by a player.
 14. A gaming system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming system is arranged such that onlysymbols forming part of the selected symbol combination are displayed.15. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming systemcomprises a gaming machine.
 16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1,comprising a gaming terminal and a gaming server in networkedcommunication with the gaming server.
 17. A method of gaming comprising:selecting a plurality of symbols for display at a plurality of displaypositions, the selected symbols including at least one winning symbolcombination when the symbol combination coincides with a win line;automatically selecting at least one win line from a plurality ofavailable win lines; and determining that a winning outcome exists whena selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line.
 18. Amethod as claimed in claim 17, wherein the selected win line includes afirst number of associated symbol positions and the selected symbolcombination includes a second number of symbols, the second number beingequal to the first number.
 19. A method as claimed in claim 17, whereinthe selected win line includes a first number of associated symbolpositions and the selected symbol combination includes a second numberof symbols, the second number being less than the first number.
 20. Amethod as claimed in claim 17, wherein the symbol combination ispredefined.
 21. A method as claimed in claim 17, comprising selectingthe symbol combination from a plurality of possible winning symbolcombinations.
 22. A method as claimed in claim 21, comprising receivingselection of a symbol combination by a player.
 23. A method as claimedin claim 21, comprising receiving selection by a player of the number ofsymbols in the symbol combination.
 24. A method as claimed in claim 21,comprising automatically selecting a symbol combination.
 25. A method asclaimed in claim 24, comprising randomly selecting a symbol combination.26. A method as claimed in claim 17, comprising selecting a plurality ofsymbol combinations.
 27. A method as claimed in claim 17, comprisingselecting a plurality of win lines.
 28. A method as claimed in claim 17,comprising: providing normal game mode and special game mode; andautomatically selecting at least one win line from a plurality ofavailable win lines, and determining that a winning outcome exists whenthe selected symbol combination coincides with a selected win line onlywhen the method operates during special game mode.
 29. A method asclaimed in claim 28, comprising commencing special game mode when apredetermined game outcome occurs, on the basis of a game eventoccurring during a game such as display of a particular symbol, inresponse to player input, based on the amount or type of bet placed, orwhen a special game is purchased by a player.
 30. A method as claimed inclaim 17, comprising displaying only symbols forming part of theselected symbol combination.
 31. A method as claimed in claim 17,comprising implementing the method of gaming using a gaming machine. 32.A method as claimed in claim 17, comprising implementing the method ofgaming using a gaming terminal and a gaming server.
 33. A computerreadable medium having computer readable program code embodied thereinfor causing a computer to operate in accordance with a gaming systemcomprising: a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbolsfor display at a plurality of display positions, the selected symbolsincluding at least one winning symbol combination when the symbolcombination coincides with a win line; a win line selector arranged toautomatically select at least one win line from a plurality of availablewin lines; and an outcome evaluator arranged to determine that a winningoutcome exists when a selected symbol combination coincides with aselected win line.